Strong summer continues for teen with Junior Masters title
Summertime means more time for strikes and spares for Simon Mote.
“It’s been a phenomenal summer to watch him bowl,” his father Kevin Mote said. “He peaked at the right time.”
The Franklin Monroe High School senior won the Terrific 12-Game Tournament at Pla-Mor Lanes in late June and followed it up with a win in the boys 16-and-over division at the Junior Masters at Capri Lanes in early July.
The 17-year-old will also likely have a top-10 finish in the boys U17 division at the Junior Gold Championships in Detroit when the results are released. The division included close to 900 bowlers from across the country.
“In some tournaments, the breaks went my way, but I’ve also been working on my game,” Mote said. “You may beat me, but you’re not going to beat me because you outworked me.”
Bowling was a family affair when Mote was growing up in Laura.
“My parents bowled league and if they couldn’t find a babysitter, they gave me a ball and shoes and put me on a lane,” he said with a smile.
While he always enjoyed bowling, his competitive side really kicked in after the left-hander switched to a two-handed release about four years ago.
“My average went up 30 or 40 pins,” he said. “I started watching the PBA bowlers and I remember thinking I might have something here.”
While many other high school bowlers are tested during the high school season, Mote doesn’t have that advantage as Franklin Monroe doesn’t have a team. Top 10 local placers Boys
16 and over: 1. Simon Mote, Laura; 2. Dylan Dobran, Centerville; 3. Drew Sacks, Vandalia;
4. Steven Kocher, Englewood; 8. Keith Schooler, Dayton. 15 and under: 1. Brent Shroyer, Beavercreek;
2. Joey DiSantis, Huber Heights; 4. Ian Dobran, Centerville; 7. Tian Turner, Dayton.
Girls
16 and over: 3. Payton Watson, Centerville;
4. Tacey Ballen, Centerville; 6. McKinsey Maruca, Centerville. 15 and under: 4. Natalie Hanson, Fairborn.
“Sometimes it feels like I’m at a disadvantage, but there is nothing I can do about it so I have found ways to work around it,” he said.
Mote focuses his energy on JTBA ( Junior Tournament Bowlers Association) matches starting in late summer. Once high school season begins in late fall, he switches gears a bit.
“I look at myself and see where I need to improve,” he said.
He also travels to nearby states to compete in tournaments.
While Mote doesn’t have the benefit of school teammates now, he would like to change that next year. He is eying collegiate bowling opportunities.
“That’s definitely something I want to try,” he said.
Contact this contributing writer at djuniewicz@gmail. com.